Tuesday, February 22, 2011

I cannot tell you all the reasons why
Jesus in His wisdom took an interest in my life
It must be endless the boundries of His grace
For He is patient with us and worthy to be praised

For above all things He is powerful
And above all things He is the King
And above all things He is merciful
For above all things He thought of me

I can't conceive it the torture of the cross
The Author of creation gave us life at His own cost
And all those present thought the grave would be the end
But Jesus rose above it and so will I my friend

Monday, February 21, 2011

It’s comforting to know that God not only cares for me, but He also carries me. It’s comforting to know that God knows everything about me, yet He forgives me and loves me just the same. It’s comforting to know that God is with me when life is happy and good, and He is with me when I’m struggling and discouraged. He freely gives me mercy and grace, even though I deserve nothing. He knows my heart, and yet again, He forgives me and loves me just the same. My God is an awesome God!

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Jesus. He is God, the Way, the Truth, the Light of the World, Almighty God, our Deliverer, the Prince of Peace, our Redeemer, the Lord God Almighty, our Savior, the Messiah, the Good Shepherd, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Word, the Great Physician, Son of Man, Anointed One, Bread of Life, the Christ, the High Priest, Lamb of God, Morning Star, the Beloved, Everlasting Father, Righteous Servant, our Salvation.

Who is He? He is Jesus Christ, He is God. God sacrificed His only Son so I may be saved. I don't deserve it, never have, and never will. God freely gave me His mercy and grace. That’s love.

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 NAS

A little song sung by innocent little children. I sang it many times when I taught the three-year-old Sunday School class.

As a Christian, do I shine for Jesus? Do I shine His light for others to see? Do I share His light in a dark world? Does my life shine for Him? Do my words shine for Him? Do my actions shine for Him?

These are questions I need to pray about. These are questions I need to answer.

"You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. And people don't hide a light under a bowl. No. People put the light on a lamp table. Then the light shines for all the people in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that people will see the good things you do. Live so that people will praise your Father in heaven."

Friday, February 11, 2011

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28 NAS

To me, this verse says that I, as a Christian, will still go thru pain and heartache and sadness and suffering and troubles and anxieties and hardships and burdens and difficulties and grief and testing and more. To me, it also says that God will use each of these things for His own good. I can’t and won’t escape bad times. I often don’t understand or know why. When I became a Christian, God never promised me a happy and carefree journey thru life.

When I look back at some of the most challenging times I’ve faced, I can now see how God used them. God meant these things for good. It’s a lesson hard to learn, but God is in charge of every aspect of my life.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

When I hear songs that ‘speak to me’, I often look up the lyrics and note the lines that have special meaning to me. The songs with the ‘I’ll never be the same’ message are similar. It’s a simple message. It is what it is, and it will never change:

God sacrificed His only Son to save us. Look at the empty cross and the empty grave. What you see is eternal life. Jesus is alive, period. He always was, and He always will be. There’s no denying that. He’s the truth, He’s the Messiah, He’s the Light, He’s the Word, He’s the Savior, He’s the Way.

When I accepted Jesus Christ, He forgave me. It was a glorious day when He entered my heart. He loves me, He has always loved me, I belong to Him. When I struggle, when I’m lost, when I fall, when I make a mess... He’s always there with me. And, the best place to fall is on my knees.

After loving Him, I’ll never be the same, I’m forever changed, He’s all I need, He’s everything to me.

‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.

~Brian Tracy

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

~Willian Arthur Ward

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.

Monday, February 7, 2011

In his ‘second’ senior year, my son lived in a townhouse with three other young men.The road to it was steep and curvy, just as I like.I loved the mountain setting and the excellent view of Boone down below.

Hub and I were visiting, and I will never, ever forget what I saw that night.I sat alone on the steps of the rear deck, with the lights of Boone concealed behind me.I looked upward and stared in awe at the black sky above.There were literally millions and millions of stars and a bright, white moon.The sheer beauty was unimaginable to me.

It struck me that the God who created this splendor also created me.He knew how many stars were above me, and He knew everything about me.

Yes, God knows every single detail of my life...the past, the present, and the future.The good and bad, the joy and sorrow, the delightful and painful, the peaceful and suffering, the calmness and anger, the hopeful and depressing, the happiness and sadness, the right and wrong...you get the idea.

That night I saw millions and millions of stars.At home, I do well to see five stars.It reminds me that God is always with me thru thick and thin.Millions of stars or five stars, no matter what.

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.Isaiah 41:10 ESV

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

The greatest gift I’ve ever received is perfect. It’s Jesus! And, His Word and His salvation and His love and His grace and His protection and His mercy and His power and His forgiveness and His security... I received these gifts because I gave my life to Him. Because I repented of my sins. Do I understand the sacrifice He willing gave? Do I ever take Him for granted? Am I thankful for Him? Do I realize how blessed I am? Do I depend on Him? Am I grateful for Him? Am I faithful to Him? Do I worship Him?

Do I deserve these gifts from God? NO! That’s where His grace and mercy comes in.

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

James 1:7 NAS

for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Romans 11:29 NAS

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;